RolandJ.Schlagel

Roland J. Schlagel 1940 2012 CHICOPEE Roland J. "Rockin Ron" Schlagel, 72, of Chicopee was Called Safely Home on Friday, September 21, 2012. He passed into Eternal Life doing what he loved while working as a DJ at a party in Bristol, Connecticut. He was born in Springfield on August 5, 1940, a beloved son of the late Roland J. and Eileen Mae (O'Neil) Schlagel. Ron was raised in Springfield, graduated from Springfield Trade High School and lived in the city for many years. He later lived in West Springfield and the Feeding Hills section of Agawam before moving to Chicopee around 1994. From 1958 to 1962, he served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Ron was a DJ for over 30 years, most known to everyone by the name of "Rockin Ron" and was also a well known piano tuner in the Western Mass Area for 40 years. For the past several years, he was a driver for Baystate Place on Chestnut Street in Springfield. He was a longtime member and organist at the Ludlow Lodge of Elks 2448 and had recently transferred his membership to the West Springfield Agawam Lodge of Elks 2174. Ron was a member of the Holyoke Revolver Club and the Westfield Sportsmen's Club. He leaves: his beloved wife, soul mate and best friend of 22 years, Kathie Hinckley; his loving children, Tony Schlagel and his wife, Tracy of Midlothian, VA, Christopher C. Schlagel of Sacramento, CA, Kim M. Saletnik of Westfield, Gregory S. Schlagel and his wife, Tracy of Chicopee and Keith W. Schlagel of West Springfield; his nine cherished grandchildren whom he adored, Meghann and Matthew Schlagel, Jason, Evan and Nicole Saletnik, Erica Hernandez, Jonathan Schlagel, Taylor Kozaczka and Jacob Jenney; and his former wife, Judith Schlagel of West Springfield. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his brother, David Schlagel who was Called Home on April 7, 1948. His relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at the St. Pierre Phaneuf Springfield Chapels (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. which will be followed by a Prayer Service and Celebration of Life in the funeral home at 7 p.m. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com